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WILKES-BARRE \u2014 Sen. Marty Flynn joined lawmakers, the Old Forge School District, school administrators, student-athletes and advocates on Tuesday in the Main Rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol to call for passage of legislation that would give the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) the authority to establish separate playoff classifications for boundary and non-boundary schools.<\/p>\n
Boundary schools are public schools that can only enroll students who live inside a strict geographic area. Non-boundary schools are private, Catholic and charter schools that do not have geographic limits.<\/p>\n
Sen. Flynn, D-Scranton, is the prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1253 \u2014 the Senate companion to House Bill 41, sponsored by Rep. Scott Conklin.<\/p>\n
Flynn said the legislation would not require the PIAA to make any changes. Instead, he said it would authorize the organization to consider separate playoff classifications and championship pathways for public and private schools and determine whether that approach would better serve student-athletes.<\/p>\n
Flynn said the issue gained renewed attention following Old Forge\u2019s appearance in the 2026 PIAA Class 2A boys basketball state championship. Old Forge, a traditional public school district with defined geographic boundaries, advanced to the state title game after a successful postseason run.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, this isn\u2019t about one game, one school or one championship,\u201d Flynn said. \u201cIt\u2019s about making sure every student-athlete has confidence that the rules are fair and that the playing field is level. Pennsylvania\u2019s student-athletes deserve nothing less.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flynn said he has heard from parents, coaches, school administrators and community members across Pennsylvania who believe the conversation surrounding competitive balance in postseason athletics is long overdue.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen schools operate under different enrollment structures, it\u2019s reasonable to ask whether the current system is providing student-athletes with the most competitive and equitable postseason experience possible,\u201d Flynn added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis legislation simply gives the PIAA the authority to evaluate that question and determine whether separate playoff classifications would better serve student-athletes throughout the Commonwealth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conklin, prime sponsor of the House Bill 41, said his bill establishing separate playoffs and championships for boundary and non-boundary schools would \u201cincrease student safety while eliminating unfair playoffs, which deprive public schools of scholarships and recruitment opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speakers at the event included Rep. Jim Haddock, Rep. Jennifer O\u2019Mara, Springfield School District Superintendent Anthony Barber, Kennett Consolidated School District Assistant Superintendent Michael Barber, Riverside School District Superintendent Paul Brennan, Old Forge student-athlete Christopher Rasmus, and Old Forge School District Superintendent Christopher Gatto.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 1253 and House Bill 41 are now in the Senate Education Committee.<\/p>\n
Reach Bill O\u2019Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.<\/p>\n
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